What's happening
This bill authorizes New York voters to submit absentee ballot applications electronically, including by email, fax, or an online system.
Why it matters
Expands Access and Convenience. By allowing absentee ballot applications to be submitted electronically (email, fax, or online), the bill makes it easier and faster for voters—including those with mobility, time, or distance constraints—to request absentee ballots.
Modernizes Election Administration. Boards of elections must establish and advertise dedicated email addresses, fax numbers, and links to the new online system, pushing local election administration into the digital age and potentially increasing efficiency.
Reduces Paperwork and Processing Delays. Applications submitted electronically are considered original documents, meaning voters no longer need to mail a follow-up paper copy, streamlining the process for both voters and election officials.
Improves Access for Military and Overseas Voters. The bill specifically allows military and special federal voters to use these electronic methods for submitting their ballot applications, eliminating a significant paperwork and mailing hurdle for New Yorkers living abroad or serving in the armed forces.
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Who cares
Absentee voters
The bill would let them submit ballot applications by fax, email attachment or a state online filing system without sending a follow-up paper application.
Local boards of elections
They would have to accept electronic applications and post their designated email address, fax number and a link to the state filing system on their websites.
State Board of Elections
It would have to establish an online absentee ballot application system that routes applications to the appropriate board for processing.
Military voters and special federal voters
They could submit ballot applications electronically without a follow-up paper submission, while their original completed registration applications and ballots would still have to be returned by mail or in person.
Headline styles
Allow Online Absentee Applications
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
15 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to election law
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Online Absentee Ballot Applications
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
507
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, COLTON, GALEF, LUPARDO, L. ROSENTHAL, PAULIN, THIELE, BENEDETTO, WEPRIN, JAFFEE, LIFTON, OTIS, VANEL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. JOHNS, McDONOUGH, WRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing electronic absentee ballot applications
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 8-400 of the election law, as amended by chapter 321 of the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
(c) All applications requesting that a ballot be delivered to the voter or an agent by mail must be mailed to the board of elections not later than the seventh day before the election for which a ballot is first requested or, for applications requesting in-person delivery of the ballot to the voter or an agent at the board of elections, must be delivered to such board not later than the day before such election. In addition to postal or personal delivery of the application to the board of elections, the board of elections shall accept delivery of absentee ballot applications: (i) by telephone facsimile transmission to a phone number which shall be designated by the board of elections; (ii) as an attachment to an electronic mail transmission sent to an electronic mail address which shall be designated by the board of elections; and (iii) through an online electronic absentee ballot application filing system which shall be established by the state board of elections and which shall transmit each application to the appropriate board of elections for processing. The website for each board of elections shall advertise the email address and telephone facsimile number required by this section and shall provide a link to the online electronic filing system established pursuant to this section. An application delivered to the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04359-01-9
A. 507 2
board of elections by electronic means shall be an original application without necessity for a subsequent conforming paper submission and shall be deemed filed when received by the board of elections, except if received by electronic means after business hours or extended hours as designated by this chapter, such application shall be deemed received as of the next day on which the board is open to receive absentee ballot applications. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the application of the electronic signature provisions of the state technology law with respect to applications for an absentee ballot.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 10-107 of the election law, as added by chapter 104 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
2. Irrespective of the preferred method of transmission designated by a military voter, a military voter's original completed voter registration application[, military ballot application] and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person notwithstanding that a prior copy was sent to the board of elections by facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A completed military ballot application submitted by facsimile transmission or electronic mail or through an electronic filing system established by the state board of elections shall be an original application and no conforming paper submission shall be required.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 11-203 of the election law, as added by chapter 104 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
2. Irrespective of the preferred method of transmission designated by a special federal voter, a special federal voter's original completed voter registration application[, special federal ballot application] and special federal ballot must be returned by mail or in person notwithstanding that a prior copy was sent to the board of elections by facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A completed special federal ballot application submitted by facsimile transmission or electronic mail or through an electronic filing system established by the state board of elections shall be an original application and no conforming paper submission shall be required.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.